The role of propolis against paclitaxel‐induced oligospermia, sperm abnormality, oxidative stress and DNA damage in testes of male rats

Abstract

Paclitaxel (taxol) is one of the most powerful anticancer drugs but it possesses toxic effects on male reproductive system. Propolis, from folkloric remedy, have antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anticancer effects. The present study established to examine the protective impact of Propolis against malformation of semen induced by taxol. Twenty‐four male rats equally divided into four groups. Group I (normal control); group II, administrated Propolis alone; group III, taxol‐treated group received taxol; group IV, co‐administered of taxol and Propolis extract. After 4 weeks of treatment, the semen were collected and testis 24 hr after the last treatment. Sperm count, motility, viability and sperm morphology were assayed. Tissue supernatants were isolated for oxidative stress, cell energy parameters and 8‐OHdG. DNA damage was evaluated using Comet assay in testes. Our results confirmed that taxol‐induced significant reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and recorded marked elevation in sperm abnormalities. Also, taxol caused increased in 8‐OHdG and DNA damage versus that recorded in control group. Treatment with Propolis improving semen quality and protected testis from detrimental effects of taxol and minimises its toxicity. In conclusions, Oral administration of Propolis modulates the toxic impact of taxol by amelioration semen quality, diminishing oxidation state, DNA damage and preserving cell energy.

Turkish Propolis and Its Nano Form Can Ameliorate the Side Effects of Cisplatin, Which Is a Widely Used Drug in the Treatment of Cancer

“…In previous studies, the effect of nano-selenium on testicle tissues, in which oxidative damage was induced with CP, was examined and it was determined that nano-selenium increased antioxidant enzyme activities in testicle tissue [ 62 ]. In a study, which was injected as intraperitoneal at a dose 5 mg/kg of Paclitaxel diluted in 1 mL saline once a week for four weeks, it was reported that it caused increases in 8—OHdG and DNA damage according to the control group in rats, but administration of propolis, at a dose of 50 mg/kg dissolved in 1 mL distilled water orally once daily for four weeks, alleviated the toxic effect of Paclitaxel by diminishing oxidation state and DNA damage, preserving cell energy [ 63 ]. The content of the ration used in the study is given in Table 4 .…”

Achillea millefolium alleviates testicular damage in paclitaxel‐intoxicated rats via attenuation of testicular oxido‐inflammatory stress and apoptotic responses

“…The present study demonstrated the beneficial effects of AM in paclitaxel‐induced testicular injury. It is reported that paclitaxel‐induced testicular damage is characterised by cell apoptosis, abnormal spermatozoa, testicular DNA fragmentation and infertility (Abd‐Elrazek et al., 2020).…”

“…Paclitaxel demonstrates positive therapeutic impacts in the treatment of many cancer types in clinical oncology practice. However, it causes damage to multiple organs, including the testes (Abd‐Elrazek et al., 2020). After paclitaxel administration, pathological changes can be seen in the testes together with diminished spermatozoa activity (Borovskaya et al., 2009).…”

“…Furthermore, testicular tissue demonstrates very little ability for reparative regeneration as microenvironment cells (Sertoli cells) do not proliferate in mature curved seminiferous tubules (Borovskaya et al., 2014). Previous studies have reported that paclitaxel induces abnormal changes in sperm activity, motility and density, as well as testicular DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress and apoptosis (Abd‐Elrazek et al., 2020). Although the mechanism of testicular damage caused by paclitaxel is poorly understood, numerous studies have demonstrated that application of paclitaxel causes oxidative stress by disrupting the redox balance in the tissues.…”

The comparison between curcumin and propolis against sepsis-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in kidney of adult male rat

“…Bees use Prop to cover hive walls, fill gaps, and embalm killed invader insects [11]. Propolis is a natural product that gained attention as folk medicine due to its chemical composition as it contains a variety of flavonoids, phenols, alcohols, terpenes, sterols, vitamins, and amino acids [12]. Several studies demonstrated the antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and wound healing properties of propolis extract [13].…”